Per-olov Kindgren plays his arrangement of "Valse lente"



Oskar Merikanto ( August 5 , 1868 – February 17 , 1924 ) was a Finnish musician and composer .

He was born to Swedish-speaking parents in Helsinki . His father, originally Frank Mattsson, changed the family name to sound more Finnish.

He was notable for his variety of talents – he gave concerts all around Finland, performing on the piano and organ , conducting orchestras, and composing original music. One of his most belowed compositions is a waltz Kesäillan valssi (Summernight's Waltz).

He died in Hausjärvi-Oiti .

His son Aarre Merikanto was also a notable composer. Works

• Romanssi, Op. 12
• Pohjan neiti (Maiden of the North) (1898)
• Nälkämaan laulu (The Song of the Hungry) (1911)
• various pieces for organ, including "Wedding Hymn"

Vocal Music includes German Swedish and Finnish. Among them are

• Rote Blumen
• An den Fruhling/Keväälle
• Ström' leise / Oi, tyynny, sa virta
• Wehmut/Alakuloisuus
• Till Dig
• Omenakukat
• Ma Elän
• Rukous (Ave Maria)
• Pai Pai Paitaressu

(from wiki)